This interview first aired on the December 27, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 80.

Ed McMillan is a former Illinois state FFA officer, and through FFA, he also had the opportunity to participate in an international work exchange program in several European countries. He went on to have a successful agribusiness career with the Ralston Purina Company and now has his own consulting firm. As a member of the National FFA Foundation’s Individual Giving Council, Ed encourages former FFA members to reconnect with FFA.

This interview first
aired on the December 27, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel
80.

Kristen Schmidt from Colorado achieved her goal of becoming a national FFA officer when she was named 2014-15 National FFA Central Region Vice President. Her personal goal for her year of service is to help FFA members know that “they matter here and the National FFA Organization is a place for everyone.”

This interview first aired on the December 27, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 80.

Bob Gowans, FFA advisor at Tooele High School in Tooele, Utah, has a number of students who are actively involved in the Utah Turkey Show. Members of his chapter raised more than 200 turkeys in 2014, both for the show and for sale to the public. Tooele FFA member Alyssa Rigby talks about the challenges and the rewards of raising turkeys.
Kristina Gowans, FFA advisor at the Granite Mountain FFA Chapter in Salt Lake City, Utah, also has students who raise turkeys for their SAE projects. She says raising turkeys is a good way for urban students to experience production agriculture.

This interview first aired on the December 27, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 80.

KariAnn Hice, FFA advisor at Beech High School in Tennessee, talks about the opportunities for hands-on animal science projects for her FFA members in the school lab. This year they are working with goats, taking the animals out for walks and getting them used to being around people.

This interview first aired on the December 20, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 80.

Brian Arp, FFA advisor at Days Creek High School in Oregon, talks about his chapter’s Christmas tree growing project. In 2013, members of the Days Creek FFA Chapter planted 300 Christmas trees that will be ready for harvest in 2018 or 2019. The chapter will sell the trees as a chapter fundraiser. Chapter members researched the project prior to selecting and planting the trees, and one FFA member serves as the project manager for his SAE.

This interview first aired on the December 20, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 80.

Holly Espinosa, FFA advisor at Columbia High School in Burbank, Wash., talks about the Columbia Burbank FFA Chapter’s involvement with Macy’s “Believe” campaign during the holiday season. For each letter written to Santa and dropped off or emailed to a Macy’s store, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Holly and Columbia Burbank FFA President Shawn Pilgrim challenge FFA chapters across the country to join the campaign.

This interview first aired on the December 20, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 80.

Caleb Gustin – a two-time New Mexico state FFA officer – is the 2014-15 National FFA Western Region Vice President. Caleb’s goals for his year of service are to help FFA members see how important their stories are and to encourage them to find motivation to serve others. He looks forward to having conversations with FFA members across the country.

This interview first aired on the December 20, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 80.

Orion Samuelson talks with J.D. Cant, FFA advisor at Imbler High School in Imbler, Ore. – the same school where J.D. was once a student. Orion also visits with Australian Madison Huth, who is spending a year with her American grandparents in Imbler. Madison attends classes at the high school and participates in FFA activities as a member of the Imbler FFA Chapter, where her mother was a charter member.

This interview first aired on the December 13, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 80.
Orion Samuelson talks with Todd Thomas, FFA advisor at Caliche High School in Iliff, Colo., about how he helps his FFA members find SAE projects that will give them an awareness of the career pathways that are available to them. Todd shares some of his experiences as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, and he encourages anyone who enjoys students and spreading the good word about agriculture to consider a career in agricultural education.

This interview first aired on the December 13, 2014 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 80.
Stephen McBride carried on a family tradition started by his father and his brother when he was elected state FFA president in Tennessee, and he accomplished another goal when he was named 2014-15 National FFA Southern Region Vice President. During his year of service, Stephen will encourage FFA members to chase their dreams and to grow both as FFA members and as people.